VFSIX vs. VSCGX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VFSIX (Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Institutional Shares) and VSCGX (Vanguard LifeStrategy Conservative Growth Fund) are both mutual funds - VFSIX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard, while VSCGX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VFSIX returned 2.63%/yr vs 6.61%/yr for VSCGX. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VFSIX charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for VSCGX.

Performance

VFSIX vs. VSCGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Institutional Shares (VFSIX) and Vanguard LifeStrategy Conservative Growth Fund (VSCGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFSIX achieves a 0.83% return, which is significantly lower than VSCGX's 5.46% return. Over the past 10 years, VFSIX has underperformed VSCGX with an annualized return of 2.63%, while VSCGX has yielded a comparatively higher 6.61% annualized return.

VFSIX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.21%
• YTD: 0.83%
• 6M: 1.22%
• 1Y: 4.82%
• 3Y*: 5.55%
• 5Y*: 2.35%
• 10Y*: 2.63%

VSCGX

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 2.19%
• YTD: 5.46%
• 6M: 6.06%
• 1Y: 14.52%
• 3Y*: 12.33%
• 5Y*: 5.51%
• 10Y*: 6.61%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VFSIX vs. VSCGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VFSIX Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Institutional Shares	0.83%	6.89%	5.12%	5.88%	-5.72%	-0.59%	5.28%	5.88%	1.00%	2.15%
VSCGX Vanguard LifeStrategy Conservative Growth Fund	5.46%	12.87%	11.65%	12.72%	-15.00%	6.04%	11.51%	15.69%	-2.95%	10.02%

Correlation

The correlation between VFSIX and VSCGX is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.47
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.46
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 1997	0.13

Over the past year, VFSIX and VSCGX have become more correlated (0.47) than their long-term average of 0.13, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

VFSIX vs. VSCGX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

VFSIX

VFSIX Risk / Return Rank: 64
VFSIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
VFSIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
VFSIX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
VFSIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
VFSIX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

VSCGX

VSCGX Risk / Return Rank: 65
VSCGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
VSCGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
VSCGX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VSCGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VSCGX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

VFSIX vs. VSCGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Institutional Shares (VFSIX) and Vanguard LifeStrategy Conservative Growth Fund (VSCGX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	VFSIX	VSCGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.04	2.39	-0.36
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.63	3.48	+0.15
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.46	-0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.13	2.85	+0.28
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.42	12.48	-0.06
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VFSIX vs. VSCGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFSIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.04, which is comparable to the VSCGX Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFSIX and VSCGX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VFSIX	VSCGX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.04	2.39	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	0.72	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.06	0.90	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.53	0.85	+0.68

Drawdowns

VFSIX vs. VSCGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFSIX drawdown since its inception was -9.21%, smaller than the maximum VSCGX drawdown of -30.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFSIX and VSCGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFSIX	VSCGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.21%	-30.62%	+21.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.71%	-5.19%	+3.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.71%	-6.71%	+5.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.21%	-20.15%	+10.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-9.21%	-20.15%	+10.94%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.23%	0.00%	-0.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.79%	-3.00%	+2.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.43%	1.18%	-0.75%

Volatility

VFSIX vs. VSCGX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Institutional Shares (VFSIX) is 0.75%, while Vanguard LifeStrategy Conservative Growth Fund (VSCGX) has a volatility of 2.17%. This indicates that VFSIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VSCGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFSIX	VSCGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.75%	2.17%	-1.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.69%	5.09%	-3.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.33%	6.17%	-3.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.99%	7.70%	-4.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.49%	7.37%	-4.88%

VFSIX vs. VSCGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFSIX has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than VSCGX's 0.12% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VFSIX vs. VSCGX - Dividend Comparison

VFSIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.74%, less than VSCGX's 5.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFSIX Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Institutional Shares	4.74%	4.61%	4.19%	2.88%	2.06%	1.81%	2.35%	2.95%	2.80%	2.13%	2.17%	2.12%
VSCGX Vanguard LifeStrategy Conservative Growth Fund	5.25%	5.50%	11.03%	5.23%	2.79%	4.18%	3.28%	2.62%	3.81%	1.65%	2.43%	3.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFSIX and VSCGX in my portfolio?

VFSIX and VSCGX have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VFSIX or VSCGX?

VSCGX has higher volatility (2.17%) compared to VFSIX (0.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFSIX dropped -9.21% vs VSCGX's -30.62%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSCGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 2.04), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.